NFL Notebook: Bills sign former FSU QB Manuel to four-year deal

Quarterback EJ Manuel can focus solely on competing for the Buffalo Bills starting job now that the rookie first-round draft pick has his contract out of the way.

“It’s a great feeling and I’m excited to be truly part of the team now,” the former Florida State quarterback said in comments released by the Bills. “I’m just glad it was done earlier instead of later.”

Manuel signed a four-year deal worth $8.9 million, a day after the Bills closed a three-day mandatory minicamp — their final session before training camp opens on July 28 in suburban Rochester.

Manuel was selected 16th overall, and was the only quarterback selected in the first round. He is competing with veteran free-agent addition Kevin Kolb for the starting job.

With Manuel signed, the Bills have all eight of their rookie draft picks under contract.

WR Cruz signs tender

Wide receiver Victor Cruz has signed his $2.879 million tender with the New York Giants.

Two people familiar with the contract said the restricted free agent with three years in the NFL had signed the tender while he works on a long-term deal with the Giants.

Had the 26-year-old Cruz not signed before Monday, the Giants’ offer could have been reduced to $630,000 for the 2013 season. The Giants could have matched any offers Cruz received from other teams.

Cruz skipped all of New York’s offseason program, but will be required to show up at training camp beginning in late July.

Williams ‘clarifies’

Mario Williams is backtracking on attributing “kill” as a word Buffalo Bills coordinator Mike Pettine has used in describing defensive philosophy with his players.

In a series of messages the defensive end posted on his Twitter account Friday, Williams clarified he wasn’t quoting Pettine directly.

“Just to clarify a choice of words I used: The phrase ‘kill them’ has never been said by Coach Pet or any of my coaches/teammates,” Williams wrote. “I said it as a figure of speech from my ‘perspective’ not literally or any actual intention.”

Elsewhere

The Atlanta Falcons signed cornerback Robert Alford, a second-round pick from Southeastern Louisiana. … The Falcons gave permission for TE Tony Gonzalez to miss next week’s mandatory minicamp. … The Rams signed S Matt Giordano and released S Don Unamba. Giordano started 13 games for the Raiders last season. … The Dolphins signed rookie offensive lineman Dallas Thomas of Tennessee, one of their two third-round selections.